Friday’s betting tips: Marquette still surging ATS

NHL: The Rangers have won seven of their last nine meetings with the Islanders.

NHL: The under is 8-2-3 in Colorado’s last 13 road games.

NCAAB: Marquette is 11-3 against the spread in its last 14 overall and 6-1 ATS in its last seven road games.

NCAAB: The under is 11-4 in Valparaiso’s last 15.

Who’s not

NHL: Washington is 1-6 in its last seven.

NHL: Minnesota is 1-16 in its last 17 meetings with Dallas.

NCAAB: West Virginia is 1-5 against the spread in its last six.

NCAAB: Dartmouth is 2-8-1 against the spread in its last 11 home games.

Key stat

6 – The West Virginia Mountaineers hit just six of their 27 shots in the second half during Wednesday’s 71-44 blowout loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as 2.5-point underdogs. The Mountaineers were down just 30-28 at halftime.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Davante Gardner, Marquette Golden Eagles – Gardner has missed the last six games with a knee sprain and remains questionable for Friday’s contest against West Virginia. The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game this season.

"I didn't even know I was the favorite until you said that. I really don't pay attention to those things. … It's only someone's opinion. The more I win, the more respect I'm going to get." – UFC lightweight titleholder Frankie Edgar about being set as a -130 favorite against Ben Henderson at Saturday’s UFC 144.

Notes and tips

The Los Angeles Kings acquired center Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Jack Johnson and a conditional first-round draft pick. Los Angeles entered play Thursday holding a one-point lead for the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Carter has endured an injury-plagued season with Columbus that saw him miss 20 games. He had a hat trick in a 6-3 win over San Jose on Tuesday to give him 15 goals and 10 assists in 39 games. The 27-year-old Carter spent his first six seasons with the Flyers, amassing 115 goals in his final three seasons. Johnson, 25, is in his fifth full season with the Kings. He has eight goals and 16 assists in 61 games this season.

Derrick Rose disputed a report claiming that he was in favor of trading Carlos Boozer and another teammate to the Los Angeles Lakers for Pau Gasol. "That's something I would never say to anyone, that I need someone to come to this team, trying to get rid of someone on this team," Rose told the Chicago Sun-Times. "That's all false. It's something I would never do." Rose told the newspaper that he talked to Boozer directly after the internet report surfaced. Gasol has been rumored to be traded from the Lakers since a three-team deal in December was essentially blocked by the league.

Alex Ovechkin returned to the ice on Thursday, wearing a powder blue "no contact" jersey, but is still considered questionable for Friday’s home game against the Montreal Canadiens. The 26-year-old Russian has 24 goals and 21 assists in 56 games for the Capitals this season. Meanwhile, the Capitals seem to have some friction in the dressing room. Veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik found himself in the press box for taking a bad penalty in Washington’s 5-0 loss to Carolina and lashed out at coach Dale Hunter. "When he played I think he make lots of penalties himself," Hamrlik told CSNWashington.com's Chuck Gormley. "He should know better." Hamrlik is now reportedly on the trading block.

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The Sabres were expected to move players at the trade deadline, but sending their top goaltender to the Islanders appears to be a rather curious move. Buffalo had already moved Jhonas Enroth to Dallas in exchange for Anders Lindback, who began his career with the lightning.

Lindback has been brutal this season, posting a record of 0-7-0 with a 3.95 GAA in seven starts with the Stars. He seems to be the most likely candidate to start tonight in Tampa. In the event that the Sabres choose to press Johnson into action, he's not been that sharp either, coming off a loss to Carolina that saw him surrender five goals on 41 shots.

Tampa owns the NHL's most potent offense, averaging over 3.3 goals per game. That could spell disaster for the Sabres who own the league's worst defense, surrendering more than 3.3 goals per game.

Tampa has won it's last three versus the Sabres, totaling a dozen goals in those three games. We should expect Lightning to strike in Tampa tonight.

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